ANKARA CITY GUIDE

Sightseeing Guide for Ankara

Sightseeing GuideAnıtkabir (The Mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk)Anıtkabir, the mausoleum of the great leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who is the founder of the Republic of Turkey, the creator of Turkish revolution, and a gallant solder, was built in Rasattepe. Its architects are Prof. Emin Onat and Assoc. Prof. Orhan Arda. The construction of the monument was commenced in 1944 and completed in 1953. Ataturk's body was transferred from his temporary grave at the Ethnography Museum to this monument with a remarkable funeral. The units within Anıtkabir site are the Independence Tower, the Freedom Tower, the Road of Lions, the Defence of Rights Tower, the Mehmetçik Tower, the Victory Tower, the Peace Tower, the 23 April Tower, Misak-ı Milli (the National Pact) Tower, the Tower of Reforms, Victory Reliefs, the Mausoleum and the Hall of Honour.War of Independence MuseumThis museum is housed in the first Turkish Grand National Assembly building. It was opened to public as the "Turkish Grand National Assembly Museum" on April 23, 1961. The building was further restored, as part of celebrations of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, by the Directorate General of Antiquities and Museums, Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and was re-opened as the "War of Independence Museum" on April 23, 1981.Republic MuseumThis museum is housed in the second Turkish Grand National Assembly building. Details of events reflecting the period of the first Presidents of the Republic of Turkey, quotes, photographs and some personal property of these Presidents, and decisions and laws enforced at the assembly in that period are exhibited in the museum.Atatürk House MuseumThis house is an exact replica of the house in Thessaloniki where Atatürk was born, and is situated within the borders of Atatürk Forest Farm. The house has three floors. Ankara Chamber of Commerce decided, as part of celebrations of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Atatürk, that an exact replica of the house in Thessaloniki where Atatürk was born would be built with the same construction plan and scales, within the borders of Atatürk Forest Farm. The foundation of the house was laid on May 19, 1981 and opened to visitors on November 10, 1981. Designed in a perfect style, the rooms are decorated with antique items reflecting that period in the best way. In addition to photographs, certificates and documents of Atatürk, some of his personal property are displayed in the museum, such as suits, casual shirts, a cap, a waistcoat, gloves, a top hat, shoes, a calling card case, a pair of prayer beads, a table bell, a coffee cup and a cane. First Floor, Pantry, Servants Room, Hall, Kitchen, Guest Room, Atatürk's Room, Museum Room, Living Room and Bedroom constitute the sections of Atatürk House.Atatürk Forest Farm"Ghazi Forest Farm Park", built by own means of Atatürk Forest Farm Directorate, was opened to public service according to the will of Ata. As mentioned by Atatürk in his letter of waiver dated 1937 declaring the grant of his farms to the nation, Atatürk Forest Farm had the tasks of "reclaiming and coordinating the land, improving the surrounding areas, and providing utilities for public entertainment and recreation". The farm was founded upon rehabilitation of a nearly 6- decare area by the Farm Directorate. The park includes playgrounds, seating areas and trees such as ash, maple, oak, larch and cedar. The park also includes a rose garden of 500 roses, a pool and floral landscaping. There is also a zoo at Atatürk Forest Farm.Gordion MuseumGordion was founded near a small village with a population of 500, known as Yassıhöyük today. Items in Gordion Museum are displayed chronologically and every age is represented by characteristic examples. There are works from Early Bronze Age in three display cases, followed by works of the Early Phrygian Period which ended with King Midas. The works displayed include pottery handcrafted in the early Iron Age, iron tools and textile manufacturing tools of the Early Phrygian period. A typical structure belonging to a ruined floor dated 700 years B.C. is exhibited in a panoramic display case at the new exhibition center. The rest of the new hall displays imported Greek ceramics from the period between 6th century A.D. - 4th century B.C. and materials belonging to the Hellenistic Age and Roman period. The final section displays examples of seals and coins found in Gordion.

Theatre of Ancient RomeIt is situated between Hisar Avenue and Pınar Street in Ulus, Ankara. Although there is no information about the theatre in writings of ancient authors about Ankara, there are a number of inscriptions found, which indirectly refer to the theatre. In addition, the inscription on a plinth protected in the Roman Baths, includes a decree on Dionysus festivities. The inscription is a decree issued in the age during which Ulpius Aelius Pompeianus was the director of contests for the mystical (mystikon) contest, and it is written on the inscription that it was placed on a certain place of the theater. Obviously, it seems that there was a theatre structure in Ankara. However, its location was unknown until 1982. As a result of archaeological data found during the excavation of the foundation of a building in 1982, the theatre was fully uncovered after the excavations conducted between the years 1982 to 1986. As in many other examples of theatres, the seats built by rock carving and filling, was formed with a fill of rubble - mortar. There are two parodoi on the east and the west, as an entrance (side entrance) to the Orchestra. Skene (the background building to which the platform stage is connected) has five entrances to the orchestra.Roman BathIt is located on Çankırı Street, which extends from Ulus Square to Yildirim Beyazit Square; it was built in the 3rd century by the Roman Emperor Caracalla, the son of Septimius Severus, in the name of the god of medicine, Asclepius. Called the Roman Bath today, this platform was found out to be a mound, with the ruins of the Roman (Partially Byzantine and Seljuk floors) on the top floor, and the ruins of the Phrygian Age settlement on the lower floor. The stone ruins beneath the mound are very well protected, which makes it possible to comprehend the layout plan of the structure. It seems that the structure was built according to the imperial standards rather than those of a provincial city.Ankara CastleGuarding the city for many centuries, Ankara Castle has been the symbol of the city of Ankara. The history of the castle is as old as the history of the city. Although the exact date of its construction is unknown, it is commonly thought that it was first built by the Romans. The castle was later restored and expanded by the Seljuks. The hill where it is situated is 110 meters high from Bentderesi (Hatip Creek) flowing nearby. The castle has two sections: the inner castle and the outer citadel. There are over twenty towers on the castle. The outer citadel surrounds the city of Ankara in a heart shape. The four-storey inner castle was partly made of Ankara stone and partly with spolia stones. The inner castle has two large gates, one of which is the outer gate, and the other is called hisarkapı. The height of the towers in the inner castle ranges between 14 to 16 m. There are a lot of Ankara houses in the castle, which have survived since the 17th century of Ankara in Ottoman age.Museum of Anatolian CivilizationsRanked first among 68 museums, the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, with its historical buildings and a long-standing background, was entitled as the "Museum of the Year in Europe" in Lausanne, Switzerland on April 19, 1997. Archaeological artifacts of Anatolia are displayed in chronological order, starting from the Paleolithic era to the present day, at the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, which is among the world's famous museums with its unique collection.Ethnography Museum of AnkaraThe museum was built on the place where the Friday prayer used to be performed during the War of Independence, formerly called as Namazgâh Hill. Initially intended to be utilized as an Archaeological Museum, and later planned as a Museum of Painting and Sculpture, the Museum gained its present function after the opening ceremony. This museum exhibits examples of Turkish art from the Seljuk period until today. Various historical collections including folk costumes from various regions of Anatolia, and a collection of woven carpets and rugs made with technical materials and designs unique to Turks are exhibited in the museum.BeypazarıBeypazarı is a district of Ankara, located in Central Anatolian Region. It is located 98 km west of Ankara, at an altitude of 700 m. Beypazarı offers visitors a variety of opportunities for lots of fun and activities, such as having a walk in İnözü Valley on beautiful sunny day, finding peace by watching the landscape from Hıdırlık Hill, and making friendly and candid conversations with local people. But most of all, it should be visited for tasty food and rich local cuisine. Beypazarı is famous for various types of traditional food, including sarma (stuffed vine leaves), home made baklava and dried foods (garlic, tomatoes, plums, pepper etc.) as well as tarhana (sundried food made of curd, tomato and flour), churchkhela (walnuts on a string dipped in starch grape molasses), erişte (home made fettuchini) and cimcik (a type of dumpling dish). Do not forget to drink carrot juice for plenty of vitamin A during your trip. Carrot is available at any season in Beypazarı as 50 - 60 percent of carrot production in Turkey is performed here. "Carrot Festival" is organized on the first week of June every year and the festival is attended by many local and foreign tourists.GölbaşıLocated 25 km southwest of Ankara and on Konya Road, Lake Mogan is surrounded by beaches and clubs, as well restaurants and cafés. This recreation area is a popular place especially for those longing for the sea during hot summer months. With a swimming pool on its shore, the lake is also suitable for boat trips. Eymir Lake and surrounding lakeside facilities are also within the district of Gölbaşı. Lakes Mogan and Eymir are the among the top sightseeing places of Ankara with their unique beauty.KızılcahamamThis district is located in the north of Ankara. Kızılcahamam is located between Çubuk, Kazan, Ayaş, Güdül and Çamlıdere districts and between Bolu and Çankırı provinces. The district is famous for Köroğlu Mountains, most important mountain in the district, and Kirmir Creek, which a branch of River Sakarya. Kurtboğazı, Eğrekkaya and Akyar Dams providing drinking water for Ankara are located within the borders of the Municipality of Kızılcahamam. Because of inadequate plain areas in the district center, the settlement is highly dense. However, the district centers tend to expand continuously towards the mountainside. Kızılcahamam hot springs, known to be used as spas since the Roman age, has earned reputation throughout Turkey. Kızılcahamam is mainly known for Soğuksu National Park, spas, hotels, mineral water, historical sites and festivals; it is a healing center. Thermal water is known to cure many diseases. Thanks to its proximity to Ankara, the district is visited by lots of tourists for day-trips especially on weekends. Numerous restaurants in the district provide services for guests and spa visitors from Ankara. Villagers from the surrounding villages sell their local and natural products at the local farmers market on Sundays. Hotels built in the recent years host conventions and meetings, thus making a great contribution to the tourism in the district.

İnözü ValleyInozu Valley is a low land situated between two mountains in Beypazarı district, approximately 100 km northwest of Ankara. Beypazarı district is also located at an approximate altitude of 700 meters and surrounded by Seben, Kıbrıscık, Nallıhan, Mihalıçcık, Polatlı, Güdül and Çamlıdere districts. Eastern and western slopes of the valley are very steep and rocky. Valley consists of orchards, poplar plantations and shrubs with cliffs and steep rocks on both sides. Beypazari - Kıbrıscık highway passes across the valley. There are a lot of caves in these rocks. The valley stretches to Beypazarı urban area, where the eastern and western slopes are very steep and rocky. The valley bottom is very narrow at this section, it expands towards the city center.